The meaningful synergy between One&Only Desaru Coast and Augustinus Bader

Luxury resort One&Only Desaru Coast is one of the most exclusive getaways in our region, just across the water in Desaru, Johor.

No wonder beauty enthusiasts and wellness aficionados rejoiced when the recently revamped One&Only Spa announced its partnership with award-winning and cult luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader as the first and only resort spa in Asia to offer the latter’s highly sought-after facial and body treatments.

Going beyond the surface

It is more than a brand; it is a movement. The good doctor, founder Augustinus Bader, is first and foremost an expert in regenerative medicine and has made it his mission to enhance the healing process for burn victims, especially children with serious injuries. In fact, he was only convinced to start a skincare line to fund his stem cell research and help those in need.

Naturally, its formulations incorporate stem cell technology. The key ingredient, TFC8, is a blend of amino acids, high-grade vitamins, and peptides, creating an environment that triggers skin cells to kick-start their regeneration process naturally. No wonder its products, including the star concoction The Cream ($445 for 50ml), are hoarded by celebrities like actress Margot Robbie and fashion designer Victoria Beckham — as well as legions of deep-pocketed beauty insiders.

The good thing is that the impact of this luxurious skincare is greater than that of skin-deep skincare. Besides funding continuing research in burn and wound repair, the Augustinus Bader brand is also involved in various philanthropic efforts that align with his mission to improve lives.

The brand’s Foundation supports various humanitarian projects ranging from thoughtful gestures like donating hand sanitisers to front-line staff during Covid-19 to emergency responses like the SOS Children’s Villages in Jordan and Rwanda to provide vital medical care and meet the basic needs of refugees and at-risk children and youth.

Finding alignment

So, it makes sense that the brand is working with a like-minded partner for its first resort spa in the region. Similar to Bader’s ethos of making a positive impact beyond its primary business operation, One&Only Desaru Coast has incorporated a range of initiatives to give back to the environment and the wider community while preserving local cultural heritage.

For instance, the resort partners with the non-governmental and non-profit Johor’s Women League of female volunteers to organise activities like nature walks and beach education for economically disadvantaged families and underprivileged children from nearby communities. 

During low occupancy periods, the team also hosts small groups of students from local schools to enjoy resort experiences like sports sessions at its sports club, a silat martial arts demonstration, nature trails with the naturalist, and even frolic at the in-house Ember Beach Club.

These sessions aim to create meaningful opportunities while motivating young students to advance themselves and achieve their ambitions.

Additionally, it showcases its commitment to responsible kitchen practices and sustainability by using locally sourced seafood and farm produce as much as possible to reduce its carbon footprint while supporting local businesses. The staff, too, walk the talk and conduct beach cleanings daily. About 800kg to 1,000kg of waste is collected each month. 

Wellness with heart

This is to say that in times like these, when authentically conscious travel is increasingly becoming paramount to countering over-tourism, it is nice to know there is a destination within two hours’ drive from Singapore where luxury wellness intersects with social responsibility. 

Plus, One&Only offers convenient door-to-door transfers from Singapore to the resort in a Tesla X, so you can rock up to the resort in a relaxed state of mind. The refreshed spa is a tranquil balm for harried city dwellers, with treatment rooms around a tranquil water feature landscaped with tropical greenery.

The spa’s extensive menu includes four treatments created in collaboration with Augustinus Bader — two facials, an eye treatment, and a body ritual.

Leveraging on the brand’s award-winning hero formulations, the therapists were trained by a brand representative specially flown in by Augustinus Bader to teach them a series of customised fascia and lymphatic flow techniques, said to activate cellular rejuvenation and natural repair cycles.

While the facials are naturally a hit — Singaporean clients have been known to travel here for their fix — do not sleep on the body treatment either.

During my 90-minute body treatment, there was certainly something alchemical about the therapist’s soothing, flowing voice that not only lulled me into a gentle snooze but also gave me a more defined post-treatment silhouette. And because I asked (nicely), the therapist was kind enough to apply the key Augustinus Bader products to my face at the end of the treatment.

Suffice it to say that the layered textures felt so comforting and cocooning that I was tempted to commit to purchasing a new skincare set on the spot. It's a good thing the spa also has a range of fan-favourite products available for purchase. 

After all, besides investing in my vanity, I know that the needy will also benefit down the line, thanks to the brand’s conscious ethos. Now, that’s one way to stretch precious dollars for the greater good.